Shoes for walking on city streets

Some good thoughts on shoes, as per the question, already. I do have one related point and apologize for not being quite on topic. Walking extended distances on city sidewalks has a specific problem that one is unlikely to encounter on any other surface. In most municipalities sidewalks (unless they are separate walk with significant space between the walk and the road/curb) will be sloped towards the road for drainage. This isn't terribly noticeable most of the time unless you're walking on the same side of the road for extended periods. In this case you've essentially made one leg shorter than the other and will suffer along the entire kinetic chain. Should this be the case in your locality I would suggest, along with acquiring appropriate well fitted footwear, trading sides of the street every several blocks. </derail>

Thank you for the answers everyone! I went to Fleet Feet this afternoon and the guy was super helpful and I got some new sneakers that are definitely better for my feet (supportive rather than flexible as my old ones were). I've also ordered the foot toys kathryn mentioned and some insoles (specifically the Spenco Polysorb Total Support and the Profoot Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics) to put in other shoes as I wear them. The guy at Fleet Feet even said it was worth getting something for slippers or whatever shoes I wear around the house; apparently being barefoot is not a great choice for me. My feet are very important to me (their names are Matilda and Arthur and we are dear friends) so I really, really appreciate all this help. Thank you again and I hope this is helpful to other people as well.

You want an athletiic shoe specifically for walking. Ihttp://vip.zappos.com/new-balance-womens#!/new-balance-womens-sneakers-athletic-shoes/CK_XARC81wE6AtUL4gIDAQIH.zso?t=new+balance+womens. The problem is everyone's feet are different. I have narrow feet with high arches, my feet ache without proper arch support. Other folks HATE that bump at the bottom of their foot. You may want to get measured for a set of orthotics. They can make a world of difference.

After many years of city walking, I think a lot of this is highly to-the-foot subjective. My favorite favorite sneakers for city walking are Saucony Bullets, because they're lightweight and comfortable and have been built exactly the same for the last 7 or so years that I've been wearing them so I know what to expect. Also they come in like a zillion colors and are cute. But I know that some people HATE them and could never be happy walking long distances in them because of the relatively simple construction. If you live near a brick and mortar store like Fleet Feet that has a treadmill in it, that's probably going to be your best bet for finding something that works for you. Actually get in the shoes and try walking in them over a distance.

Thanks for the responses so far -- based on them I am providing a little more information about my feet in case it's helpful in giving me advice. in addition to feeling a very focused soreness in the middle of the heel after overuse, you also experience heel pain when you first get out of bed in the morning. Yes this is exactly true! When I've been sitting at work for a bit or first get up it can be painful to walk (I've threatened to crawl to the bathroom). In case it's relevant, I also find it feels nice to step exactly with the center of my foot on raised bits of the sidewalk and stuff which also might indicate arch support. Thanks for this -- I will keep it in mind!

If you think you might be getting plantar fasciitis, I highly recommend ProFoot's plantar fasciitis insoles. I limped around every morning for almost a year. I got the insoles and I don't have that morning pain anymore. I do not think they cured me, because it can come back if I go too long without shoes, but they certainly helped. My husband has had some relief from his as well, but no cure. His doctor did recommend the insoles and he wears them often, but he still gets limpy now and then.

The folks at Fleet Feet spent an hour with me finding http://www.brooksrunning.com/Addiction-Walker/110039,default,pd.html, black tennis shoes that look good enough for my IT job but that are amazingly comfortable for my daily walk to and from work. I'm guessing that if they could help me (men's 14 narrow), they can help you. Note that the cushioning and arch support tend to wear out before the sole. After a few months, I notice my feet feeling tired after a walk, even when there's plenty of tread left and the shoes still look OK. Time for a new pair!

http://www.superfeet.com/en-us insoles. Read carefully the different types they make. While they don't provide that much cushioning, they provide excellent support. The pink one worked best for me (wide feet, low arches) but YMMV. They sell them on Amazon. Also if you are walking that much, your calves are likely extremely tight and you need to be stretching. Try a calf stretcher like this http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000GAAXGK/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/. In case it's relevant, I also find it feels nice to step exactly with the center of my foot on raised bits of the sidewalk and stuff which also might indicate arch support. Thanks for this -- I will keep it in mind! Get a http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003JYHXH2/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/. Maybe a set for home and another set for work.

Danskos Danskos Danskos Danskos. Danskos. I had plantar fasciitis and they fixed that in a few months. They have heavy, built soles so nothing gets through from the city streets, but they have some magic happening where they don't feel crazy heavy. Per my Moves app I usually walk around 13,000 steps a day (6 miles ish?) and I have gone from never walking due to PF to walking everywhere in my Danskos. The Mary Janes I have are pretty cute, they last forever, and you won't have to change shoes when you get to work.